The WWII and Korean Veterans High School Diploma program provides high school diplomas to New Mexico veterans who left high school before graduating to serve in World War II or the Korean war.
Since the program's inception in 2003, nearly 150 New Mexico veterans have participated. A ceremony was held in April 2007 for the WWII and Korean War veterans who have taken part in the program. The ceremony, organized by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and the New Mexico Public Education Department, gave statewide recognition to the program's participants.
In addition to providing a valuable credential to military veterans seeking civilian careers, the World War II and Korean Veterans High School Diploma program is intended to honor veterans who sacrificed their education to enlist. According to the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, many veterans lied about their age to enlist, leaving school early to join the military.
To be eligible to receive your diploma under this program, you must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces. Additionally, you must have served between the following dates:
Finally, you must have been on track to graduate between 1941 and 1954.
To apply for the WWII and Korean Veterans High School Diploma program, you should submit an application form that includes information about your military service, the high school you attended, and the date you would have graduated. You must also attach a copy of your discharge papers or DD214.
New Mexico veterans who are deceased are also eligible to receive a diploma. Family members of veterans may apply on their behalf.
The completed application and discharge papers/DD214 should be submitted to:
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services PO Box 2324 Santa Fe, NM 87504 Attn: State Benefits